House buys adjustable lectern

New setup will accommodate shorter and wheelchair-bound legislators

Topeka  In past years, speeches in the Kansas House of Representatives began with a metallic crunch, the sound of members moving the microphones closer from the lectern down front.

Next year, speeches could begin with the muffled drone of a small electric motor.

Janet Jones, chief clerk of the Kansas House of Representatives,
demonstrates the new, adjustable lectern in the House chambers at
the Statehouse. The lectern was recently purchased for use in the
House chambers for a price of $9,437.

The House has a new lectern and members can adjust its height to suit theirs. The Legislature's staff still must work out a few details, such as what kind of microphone to use, but they view the change as positive.

"I think overall it's a positive step," said Rep. Jeff Peterson, R-Manhattan, who has used a wheelchair since a car accident 14 years ago. "Like anything else, it will require some fine tuning."

The old lectern was about 4 feet high, but it seemed higher because of the microphones mounted on it. A few years ago, the House abandoned the flexible metal cords for them, the ones that made the crunching sound when moved.

Shorter House members sometimes still had to stand on the tips of their toes be seen when they spoke. And, if he was behind it, Peterson couldn't be seen; eventually, the House gave him a hand-held microphone to use.

"It was very hard for a short person or someone sitting to get to the microphone," said Janet Jones, the House's chief clerk.

Former House Speaker Robin Jennison, who retired from office in January, first suggested purchasing a new lectern. The Legislature contracted with Kansas City Audio-Visual.

The new lectern cost $9,437, and was in place when the Legislature ended its session last week.

At its lowest, the lectern is about 3 feet high. House members can add 10 inches to its height, making it almost as tall as the old lectern.